Sony RX100 VII vs Sony RX1R II: read noise comparison

The Sony RX100 VII (DSC-RX100M7) was measured at 22 ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 3.94 DN, or 3.1 electrons at the sensor. From ISO 640 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Settings above ISO 3200 don't change analog gain (digital push). Full well at base ISO is about 12,338 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 80.

The Sony RX1R II (DSC-RX1RM2) was measured at 34 ISO settings from ISO 50 to ISO 102400. Values are Bill Claff's (Photons to Photos) direct measurements from raw files.

At base ISO (100) read noise is 1.65 DN, or 5.5 electrons at the sensor. A second gain (dual gain) kicks in at ISO 640, cutting input-referred read noise by about 1.3 stop. From ISO 32000 up the camera is effectively ISO-invariant: raising ISO further doesn't meaningfully lower shadow noise. Full well at base ISO is about 52,658 electrons; unity gain is around ISO 330.